23rd Jun 2007, 13:22

Still rate this car - now have 85,000 on the clock and it drives as beautifully as ever. I highly recommend the ECU remap to anyone if done properly. A recent rolling road test revealed 192bhp and over 320 lbft of torque.

26th Aug 2007, 18:29

8th Jul 2010, 16:24

I've owned 4 406s:

* 1996 2.0 turbo SRi

* 1996 2.0 turbo executive

* 1997 3.0 V6 estate

* 2001 2.2 SRi.

I've loved every single one of these cars despite some niggles, usually occurring as the cars passed 100,000 miles. I've found that the 406 responds very well to careful modding. Peugeot enthusiasts tell me that the 406 engines in particular tend to be de-tuned, leaving lots of scope for more power and better straight-line performance.

My dad has owned a 406 1.9 TD and a 406 2.2 TD, and now drives a 407 136 HDi SE Luxury Pack. This tells you something about how much we rate Peugeots, the 406 in particular! We've also had a 306 TD and a 206 1.6, and neither of those two offered anything like the smile-inducing driveability of the 406s.

I would recommend everyone to avoid the lesser engines though - ie the 1.8 petrol and both of the 90bhp diesel versions. The 406 was heavy for its day (though it looks like a lightweight next to today's cars) and those engines simply cannot cope, and since you need to rev the nuts off them to get anywhere, you are not saving fuel.

To be honest, with the cars being so cheap these days, there's no excuse not to go for the most powerful HDi you can find, or either the 2.0 turbo, 2.2 or 3.0 V6 petrol engines. Yeah the V6 really drinks fuel, but the car is cheap, so it makes up for the fuel consumption.

2001 Peugeot 406 LX 2.0 HDI from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great load lugger in comfort

Faults:

Air Con pipe rupture.

General Comments:

What a great shame Peugeot have stopped making this model. Owned the 406 saloon prior to buying the estate. Superb ride and handling, excellent fuel economy and good build quality. Eats front pads and discs. Best with Goodyear NCT 5's for all round performance, but expect only 20,000 miles if lucky. Now own a 307SW, and to be honest, I would rather have kept my 406.